Super Rugby
Henry set for Blues role
ESPN Staff
August 10, 2012
Graham Henry cracks a smile, portrait session, Heritage Hotel, Auckland, New Zealand, December 29, 2011
Sir Graham Henry looks set to be taking up a role with the Blues © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Sir Graham Henry | John Kirwan
Teams: Blues | New Zealand

Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry looks set to take up a role with the Blues ahead of next season's Super Rugby competition.

Reports in the New Zealand press suggest that Henry will take up a similar role to the one that his former assistant coach Wayne Smith holds with the Chiefs. Sir John Kirwan will take on the head coach role from Pat Lam for next season and the duo will be charged with turning the Blues into a title-winning side after what was a disastrous campaign for them in 2012.

While the Blues have stayed quiet on the reports linking Henry with the Auckland franchise, the new All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has all but confirmed that his former boss will be at the Blues next term.

"He brings a huge amount of experience, he's got a coaching record that runs about 83, 86%, so I think it's great," said Hansen. "It's great for New Zealand rugby; he's far better off doing that than coaching Argentina."

Henry will link up with some familiar faces at the Blues with World Cup winners Ma'a Nonu and Piri Weepu both turning out for the Auckland franchise. Another one of his victorious players - Cory Jane who turns out for the Hurricanes - believes Henry will be a success in Auckland.

"He's been around for a while and he knows how to coach and he'll get them playing well, hopefully not as well as the Hurricanes," said Jane. "If we can still beat them that will be pretty bloody good, with the whole new coaching staff going in there it's a big clean out so he'll get the boys out there pumped and ready to go."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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